“Pali-Pali” culture

Microscopic Observation into Korean Lives

Entering note: Pali-pali, Idea that Changed the Nation

From previous sections of my essay, I have discussed Korea’s long history of Japanese atrocity, and land division. To understand South Korea’s development after the war, it is crucial to explore a particular trait that has become universal throughout all Korean people — one that has become deeply immersed in the daily lives Koreans today. In fact, it has provided the motivation to sustain South Korea as an independent nation and inspired the Korean people to survive poverty, unemployment, loss and the collective sorrow that remained after the war. The motivation, the idea was that of “pali-pali”.

Pali-pali is a word literally meaning “hurry, hurry.” The word refers to a trait seen in every Korean’s way of life. It is an expression in which one constantly seeks a faster process, action or service. It has been practiced over the course of history starting mostly at workplaces and schools but has extended its presence in all aspects of Korean life. It is also virtually the only way to explain South Korea’s rapid economic growth in such a short period of time. Similar ideas are visible in major cities around the world, such as New York City, Tokyo, or Shanghai. However, pali-pali is unique to the South Korean people.

WWII: Pre-1960s

The Second World War and Japanese colonization ended in 1945. The Korean War in finally came to an end in 1953 with a clear geopolitical definition of the nation. Despite the joy of finally have their motherland back, all that awaited the Korean people was grinding poverty, scarcity of food, and high unemployment rate. The new national boundary also separated families, causing even more emotional scars. Korea had very few resources to enjoy for development. During the 1950s, many voluntary organizations from foreign countries came to South Korea — one of them from the United States was Peace Corps. It was launched by President John F. Kennedy after his inauguration in 1961. South Korea received their help from 1966 until 1981 during which time more than 2,000 volunteers came to live and work with their Korean hosts. Only 8 years after they left, I was born. The Peace Corps significantly impacted the beliefs and attitudes that Koreans live by today. They have “spread values that are important to American society, such as the importance of individual human rights, democracy, and transparent governance — and the virtue of volunteering (Oh, 2016).”

In concrete terms, the per capita income* in the 1950s and 1960s was “less than $100 (Oh. 2016)”, that is lower than of Haiti, Ethiopia, and Yemen and about 40% below India’s. School rooms lacked desks and chairs, with no heat in the winter. It is not an exaggeration that children lived off of candies, gums and chocolates that curious American soldiers gave them on their way through the villages.

(*measures of the average income earned per person in a given region)

Rapid growth of nearly 3% population every year made the country even more dense than it already was but 40% of the entire population of the country was utterly destitute.

By 1990, the country held 42 million population and per capita income of nearly $5000 grew to become “12th largest trading nation and was on the threshold of joining the ranks of industrialized, developed nations (Kim, 1991).” That is only in 30-year period of time. As of 2018, in less than half a century, per capita hit over $16,250.

The planning and implementation of rapid and widespread development brought about by President Chung-hee Park’s administration enjoyed broad support from the general public, of both white and blue collar workers under the fundamental belief of pali-pali.

Industrialization: Under President Park’s Regime

Chung-hee Park becomes South Korea’s president after a military coup d’etat which he led in May 16, 1961. This year was also marked the start of serious development of “physical and human infrastructure (Kim, 1991)” that marked the beginning of significant industrialization. Park’s strategy to focus on export-based industrialization worked like a spark as well disaggregating “the contributions of different sources of demand to the country’s economic growth (Kim, 1991).”

One of Park’s most significant infrastructure projects was the construction of Seoul’s transportation system of the subway as well as a highway system.

With the closing of Seoul’s overground urban train system in 1968, there were extensive talks of constructing the underground subways, but plans were never implemented until 1971 when the Park administration reignited the projects. Only three years and four months after the start of construction, South Korea’s first ever subway (Line 1) was opened to the public. The subway system eventually spread out and stimulated development of nearby regions for greater residential housing as well as dispersion of city functions which brought about even greater economic growth.

His most iconic project is the extensive highway construction, inspired by Germany’s Autobahn. Seoul’s first highway, Kyung-in highway was opened in 1968 then four more highways were built until 1975 when they were completed. The highway, now an integral part of Korea’s social and economic structure, is said to have been a masterpiece of Park’s very own, in that it was “sketched, planned, directed and tested all solely by Park (Huh, 2013).” It made people’s everyday travel to workplaces and home much faster and convenient, contributing significantly to efficiency of people’s time management. But more importantly, the construction of the highway was the largest contribution to the entire development in the economy of Korea, changing the entire road system in Seoul and buildings of industrial regions. As a result, national income has risen from $82 per person in 1961 to $1,636 per person in 1979.

Other developments such as automobile industry and semi-conductor industry followed. After Hyundai Motors’s first factory opened its door in 1968, it expanded its number of factories. In 1990, Hyundai Motors used to make 560,000 cars consisting of 6 different models. By 2010, the factory made 330 cars per hour consisting of 13 different models adding up to 5,500,000 units sold annually. Hyundai cars still remain as one of the largest export products of South Korea.

The semiconductor industry brought about groundbreaking development and is now known globally with well-known brands such as Samsung and LG with the mobile telephone industry. This is also one of greatest achievements produced during Park’s administration. It contributed to South Korea’s expansion of export opportunities. In 1992, Samsung proudly became the number one semi-conductor brand in the world.

Behind the drive towards industrialization by Park was the diligent, relentless work of the younger generation who are now my parents age. Over the decades, Park’s planning for the prosperity of young office workers and field workers was the spirit of pali-pali.

Today: In Workplaces & Every Day Services

The spirit that existed since the years of Chung-hee Park’s time is still visible in workplaces and everyday lives of the Koreans today.

One of the most prominent is the pali-pali mentality shown in service industry. If the service at restaurants they provide is delayed or slowed down, it is not considered a good restaurant and the visitors are expected to receive an apology.

Another example would be the subway. When I was studying in London, England, I was shocked by how long the subway would be delayed and how long it would be stopped due to issues until the technical or service managers could get it running again. One day, I experienced a 30-minute delay on a stopped train where there was no network for internet or phone service available. I failed to make it to class that day. I was furious and thought if this was South Korea, I would have reported the situation to the city transportation office. But I looked around to realize that no one seemed to be as anxious and furious at the situation as I was. It was just something that I will never encounter in Seoul because first, all Seoul metro have full speed wi-fi network service which allows for real time reporting of, not just delays but any incidents or accidents that happen on the train, available and second, immediate reporting service which allow one to get in contact with someone to let them know the situation that one is put in on the train. It wasn’t be just me complaining and reporting about the incident. I actually had few more Korean friends who were also experiencing the same frustration in London of not just the subway system but also the long wait on the customer service and slow responses to customer’s request.

Also apparent of the pali-pali mentality is the delivery service. Three to five business day delivery for online shopped products is inexplicable in the minds of many Koreans. When I was home, I ordered bathroom necessities online via a Korean online shopping app called Coupang. The goods I ordered arrived at 3pm on the same day. The system is incentivized in that the more packages the delivery person completes in one day, the more he or she will get paid. This also increases customer satisfaction.

This trait is a fundamental in the way South Koreans live their everyday lives to this day. Koreans have long believed that the faster the process goes; the more work can be done.

Today: “Miracle on Han river”

The spirit of pali-pali economically and diplomatically enriched the South Korean nation and is continued to exist to this day but not without its costs as well. It puts a lot of people in the modern world under all sorts of anxiety, stress and often results depression for many. This is because the work needs to be done not only rapidly but with meticulous attention to accuracy. The society requires development of new ideas quickly and for the idea to become reality as fast as possible.

The competition created as a result of this drive is most visible not only at workspaces but also in schools among students. For example, Korean students would have typically finished high school freshman studies in advance by the time they graduate from middle school. The schoolwork they cover and understand must always be at least a grade-year ahead.

In most cases today, the pali-pali mindset is exemplified in the people’s energy and passion to create more advancement and growth, but it also remains as controversial and at times, even problematic. Some consider it as a conservative and old-fashioned mindset and that now, in the 21st century, people are living in the era where this abundance should be enjoyed.

There is much discussion regarding this idea within workplaces as well as schools however, it is true that the belief Koreans had during the 1960s era that the pali-pali concept is in fact what led to what many economists call “Miracle on Han River.” And it still continues to work as a source of motivation for the South Korean people to strive for still greater prosperity.

Closing note: Behind the Idea, the Meaning & Compared to Other Cities

It might occur to some that this is not something that is unique to the people of Korea. This is true in part. But there are aspects regarding this idea of pali-pali that is unique to the people of Korea.

It is a trait that has been widely embraced by South Koreans. In one way or another, it exists as a belief and solution that correlates with the saying that “hard work and effort never betray one”. At the same time, for South Koreans working under the mentality of pali-pali, is not only mindset. It is also deeply believed lifestyle because of the prosperity and relatively affluent lifestyle now enjoyed by a nation that clearly remembers far more difficult times. The affluence is clear evidence of the effectiveness and success achieved in just a few decades.

Today lack of this type of action process will leave people feeling like they are behind causing stress and anxiety. They will always be starved for more and something better. They will always live with pressure and anxiety. In a world of competition, pali-pali will continue to push the people forward in their careers but will also burn some of them out. Work and achievement are great but perhaps it is also necessary for it to be understood that young workers and laborers should also enjoy and appreciate what they already have — technology, freedom, resources and capital.

References

• Oh, Kongdan. “Korea’s Path from Poverty to Philanthropy.” Brookings. Brookings, July 28, 2016. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/koreas-path-from-poverty-to-philanthropy/.
• Kim, Kwan S. “THE KOREAN MIRACLE (1962–1980) REVISITED: MYTHS AND REALITIES IN STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT,” 1991. https://kellogg.nd.edu/sites/default/files/old_files/documents/166_0.pdf.
• Daejeon, January 30, 2020.
• Seoulsolution. “The History of Seoul.” 서울아카이브 Seoul Solution, January 2, 2020. https://www.seoulsolution.kr/en/content/3323.
• Huh, Kisung. “호텔형 초대형리무진캠핑버스가 뜬다.” 호텔형 초대형리무진캠핑버스가 뜬다 (blog), December 13, 2013. http://blog.daum.net/chrunya/15875132.